Computerized assessment of facial hair growth.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a computer-assisted technique for objective and sensitive monitoring of facial hair growth.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine and Clinic for Ear, Nose, and Throat, General Hospital, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

PATIENT(S): Four men, three hirsute women, and three nonhirsute women.

INTERVENTION(S): Using video equipment and computer software, we were able to document, analyze, and store data regarding hair growth in specific areas of interest. For digital image analysis, we used the Digi Trace System (Olympus, Vienna, Austria; Imatec, Munich, Germany).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hair growth within 20 days in well-defined regions of interest on the faces of hirsute and nonhirsute women and of men.

RESULT(S): Hair growth on day 21 was significantly different between hirsute and nonhirsute women as well as in men. The scores for individual hair growth between day 0 and day 21 also were significantly different in hirsute women and in men. No statistically significant difference in hair growth was found within the group of nonhirsute women.

CONCLUSION(S): With digital image analysis, facial hair growth, especially in hirsute women, can be calculated in a sensitive and objective manner.